IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group (SSG)

The IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group (SSG) was established by the Species Survival Commission in 1991 in response to growing awareness and concern of the severe impact of fisheries on shark, ray, and chimaera populations around the world. The SSG is now recognized as the leading authority on the status of sharks, rays, and chimaeras and has recently finished assessing the status of all known species. Central to this process has been the knowledge and expertise shared by its members. The SSG is now moving forward to ensure that this knowledge converts into plans and interventions that lead into conservation action for priority species groups.